It’s beginning. Well at least for you, Mom. Halloween is like the starter gun of the holiday season. The costumes, sweets and now the entertaining.

Especially if you let your little ghosts and goblins convince you to host this year’s big bash at your pad. And as the witching hour approaches, you realize you’re going to have a house full of mini- monsters and moms to keep merry. Suddenly you’re overwhelmed trying to decide which music is the most spook-tastic, and which entrees will tickle everyone’s taste buds.

Even if you’re not hosting the haunted gathering, getting ready for all hollow’s eve can be a scary proposition for a Mom from the constant costume changes, candy needing to be screened and your precious pumpkin seeds trick-or-treating at night amongst cars. The List has you covered with the essentials every mother should be in the know of this Halloween.

Fun before Halloween

1. Books- Halloween by Jerry Seinfeld is just as entertaining for you as it is for your kids. Witches, Pumpkins, and Grinning Ghosts by Edna Barth is great for the nitty-gritty meaning of the holiday. And Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson for a fun rhyming story.

2. Crafts – Many websites have some great crafts like Bat-o’-lanterns or Spirit Jugs that you can make with your kids and then use as decorations around your house.

3. Games- For an afternoon of fun choose from one of these easy games for all ages at familyfun.go.com/halloween

For Parties

1. Music- Eban Schletter’s The Witching Hour for some spooky sounds, or go to the iTunes Store to create play lists with classic Halloween songs like Monster Mash by Bobby Boris Pickett.

2. Food- To get your kids to put down some of the candy,research some great recipe ideas for healthy food disguised (Cheese Stick Fingers, Edible Eyeballs, Apple Bites).

3. Sweet Treats for You – Jacque Torres’ Wicked Hot Chocolate made from pure chocolate with a subtle hit of sweet ancho and chile peppers to warm you up and keep you from eating sneaking candy from the kids’ loot.

4. Décor- Gummy Specimen Beakers from Dylan’s Candy Bar look like they came out of the same lab as Frankenstein, and they’re only $6 dylanscandybar.com.

For Trick ‘or Treating

1. Glow sticks – To keep your little ones as safe as possible in the dark, orientaltrading.com, and or Party City (store or online) have a variety of glow sticks in many different styles and even ones that flash on and off for extra attention.

2. Flashlights – An alternative for those kiddos who are rejecting glow sticks visit lilsugar.com for a variety of flashlights including famous characters, and traditional Halloween themed options, guaranteeing they’ll shine bright at night.

3. Makeup- Anniescostumes.com has a selection of Ben Nye’s make-up, which has hypoallergenic as well as brilliant colors in palettes.

4. Candy Bags- Pottery Barn Kids makes adorable and affordable treat bags, which can be personalized preventing tiffs over bags and they come in variety of styles to match costumes if desired.

5. Costumes- Anniescostumes.com offers great 3-in-1 costumes that will save you money, time and frustration with your indecisive child.

Mom’s Q&A

Do you prefer to take your kids trick-or-treating, or do you let them go with their friends? Let us know at http://www.couposh.com